As a small kid I vividly remember watching this and being profoundly affected by the puppetry--it was poignantly tragic, faintly creepy, and inexplicably unsettling...it has haunted me to this day! For a kids' show to convey a deep sense of love, death, loss, & melancholy, just thru puppets (!) was an artistic coup. I was only like 6 and had to go sulk by myself after I saw it, couldn't handle it. As an adult, watching it again, it's fascinating. Still creepily tragic. So glad I found it...

@marianneplastina4957

5 жыл бұрын

Exactly the same for me. It haunts me also every time I hear the song sung by anyone. I can't believe I was able to find this KZread. I wish it was clearer.

@virginias.poston4308

4 жыл бұрын

I was a few years older, but I had much the same reaction.

@Otto_Pilate

4 жыл бұрын

I was just telling my wife about it this morning. I carry the impact this had on me as a child to this day. It drew out a well of empathy I don't think I was actively aware of before that moment.

@drewgormley6933

3 жыл бұрын

You must have been an intelligent and sensitive kid. That can be very hard to handle when too young to understand what's at play.

@mzeklektik1089

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry you had that experience as mine was completely the opposite. I found it enchanting and as a child with a child's mind I found the puppetry to symbolize forever love which is so rare but I have held this video in my heart until I meant it for someone I could spend forever with.

A masterpiece of puppetry and a masterpiece of singing. Cleo Laine's voice was a musical instrument of phenomenal versatility honed by Johnny Dankworth. I saw this the first time it was aired and always enjoy watching it with a lump in my throat.

@charlesfuentes3695

3 жыл бұрын

It left me with a vivid memory. Greatly appreciated. 🙏

I still remember the time i watched it. It was 1989. I was 8. Remember crying when he died... those memories... Thank you Cleo Laine for the music... and beautiful arrangement...

I remembered this as a kid. God,it's just as I recall😊

I remember this seen, in The Muppet Show! The song "IF" became my ol'time favorite song because of this scene in The Muppet Show! Thanks for uploading this! Truly, a classic!

Oh you have NO IDEA how much seeing this Muppet video meant to me - I am at a low ebb in my life at 77 and when I watched this on the Muppet show over FORTY YEARS ago--it touched me to my soul's core. I always remembered it and reviewing it forty years later...just reinforces its effect on me. Bless you, MakiLotus. I also agree with your 'take' on the "new" Muppet shows and movies--it's now controlled by Disney enterprises and they are corrupt and degenerate to the core. Thank God for KZread not removing your comments or delightfully innocent video!

i remember seeing this muppet show episode when it first aired and i cried like a baby, pretty much like i'm doing right now. loved cleo's version of the bread classic and it along with bruce schwartz' puppetry gives this song a new and deeper poignancy. thank you so much makilotus for posting; it brought back bittersweet childhood memories!

@reading.with.creepy.crawlies

Жыл бұрын

When I hear this song, I always think of these puppets, and cry. 😭 I was just a little kid, and it shredded my heart, but was beautiful at the same time. ❤

The music, Cleo's voice, the puppets,,,this is so perfect. One of the most beautiful, moving performances i've ever seen

I used to watch The Muppet Show in the 70's but the only thing I remembered was that I loved watching it so I decided to watch it again, and I'm glad I did, this melody sung by Cleo Laine and the guest puppeteer captured my heart

so good to see it again; a beautiful tribute to Jim Henson, in his memory

@cmulwee001

9 жыл бұрын

James Frase-White This was BEFORE Jim died.

@esarfmij

9 жыл бұрын

I know, that is why it is a tribute to him and the gift he gave us through his work.

@cmulwee001

9 жыл бұрын

James Frase-White The first time I saw this episode and this segment, when I noticed the stars "going out" I had a HUNCH that this was the song she was going to sing, because that's a line in the song. Also is the woman puppet supposed to me a likeness of Ms. Lane? Sure looks like it.

If this song, and this performance, do not live until our species ceases to exist, I will personally eat my computer.

I remember watching this when it was first shown, I am not ashamed to say, I was in tears. So beautifully done.

Rest in peace mom childhood memories with you... thank you for being my mother 💔

Yeah.. It's one of those Muppet moments that's impossible to forget. You're welcome.

My mother always recounts this scene from The Muppet Show when listening to the song "If".

Thank you! Cleo Laine singing If on the Muppet Show has been in my mind and heart ever since I first saw it when I was a kid. It's one of those things that always brings good old memories back.

i love it.williams, lane and schwartz together are so moving that even my evil heavy metal heart melts away.world masterclass entertainment.bravo

Thank you so much. I never forgot this. :-)

Thank you for this. I remember watching this years ago for it's beauty and sadness. And I love Cleo Laine.

Thank you s much for posting this- it's stayed with me for 30 years now & yeah, it's hard to find!

Love this version. By the world's best singer. It's the only song I want played at my funeral.

@charlesfuentes3695

3 жыл бұрын

How sweet. God Bless You.

Thank you so much. I couldn't find too.

So beautiful. Thanks for putting it up where the rest of us can find it.

This is the one! Thank you for posting. I remember this from so long ago. It is a beautiful performance. Never left my mind. I'm glad I found it. Unforgettable. Thank you.

that song was beautiful and it had those puppets to go with it. reminds me of Harley mourning for Joker's death in puppet version. seriously, i love that song

Jon❤

Thank you for posting this. I saw it when it aired and I never forgot it.

I've been looking all over for this video....thank you so much for putting it up here! I was mesmerized when it first aired and find it still holds up beautifully! Ms. Laine is even more beautiful than I remembered her to be. The puppetry is stunning...just chokes me up...thanks! :)

I never forgot this, finding it was difficult but do worth it. thank you so much for posting

I have always loved this and been very touched by it - simply extraordinary blend of words, music and visual - beautiful!!

That was a delightful performance.

Thank you for posting this. I searched and searched over the years for this episode and couldn't find it. I couldn't remember who sang it. For some reason, I had it in my head it was Judy Collins. This had a big impact on me when I first saw it as a teenager and an equally poignant impact 40 years later.

Thank you so much for uploading this video.

When reading the lyrics directly, it suggests the theory of the latter half of the century. I feel serious and fond memories of love.

Thank you, a beautiful piece !

Maravilloso ¡¡¡ Recuerdo cuando lo vi por primera vez cuando era niño....por fin lo encontré , gracias por compartirlo maki . GRACIAS ¡

Very moving.

Who dislikes this video? D8 You can't dislike Muppetz. TT_TT

@charlesfuentes3695

3 жыл бұрын

Those who dislike this were those that were born later. They regret not having lived it for the first time. I was glad to have found it 40 years later. Thank you. & Thanks, KZread. You bought back a past emotion. 🙏

thank you..in memory of my son..he loved this show...we watched it all the time...tears..and joy..

@rjzgirl No problem! ^^ It's a very beautiful song, one of my favorites, and the puppetry in the background is amazing, I had to share it. Anyway, it's episode 16 of season 2. MultiMumpitz has all the Muppet Show episodes up, but buy the dvds, too, please.

Couldn't say it better myself...

Her voice like mrs shirley but more Heavenly

@nosegoblinz No problem. I thought it was a wonderful part of the Muppet Show and was surprised no one uploaded it on it's own, so I did it myself.

Did she ever RECORD this song. Or did she only perform it here?

@MakiLotus

8 жыл бұрын

+Chris Mulwee This version is similar to the one she does with John Williams. watch?v=jjTJF5jYPP0 Not exactly the same, but extremely close. And sorry it took me four months to reply. xD For some reason comments for my older videos don't appear in my inbox.

@tomkelly5495

8 жыл бұрын

+Chris Mulwee Cleo recorded this with John Williams the classical guitarist , I believe the CD was called Best Friends .

gawd this is awful. she kills this song.. like really kills it.. as in slows it down to a crawl so its awful.

@drewgormley6933

3 жыл бұрын

You might be missing the fact that this was a memorial performance after Henson passed away, and rushing a song to remember someone you only lose once makes less sense than being in the slow motion of grief. Or you've never grieved. A lovely innocence to maintain while you can.